Aston Martin Quality Control Issues

Aston Martin Quality Control Issues

Author
Discussion

CheckSix

Original Poster:

89 posts

109 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
I've read the issues related with AM regarding clutches, light cluster condensation and paint blistering... thinking must have been earlier cars!

Then with my first service I was told the control arms are out by a couple of mm... which causes shuddering on occasions of the steering. Apparently this is well known to the factory and my dealer is going to replace all 4 arms with a different design ... if they knew that why would they use an older design in the first place?

I mean AM did have about 10years with the Vantage before I got mine (MY2016)... the panel gaps can be excused for "hand crafted", the electronic freezes can be construed as "characterful" but I guess the last straw was the paint bubbling!



Now don't get me wrong I really like the old school feel, incredible sound, manual shift, pure class and elegance of AM... but this has made me reconsider upgrading to another Aston.

The last time I saw this same phenomenon myself was on a MY08 Ferrari 599. What has been others experience of newer model Astons? This experience has left me feeling a bit jaded... the new DB11 hasn't helped! Wondering what other niggles fellow owners put up with to fly the AM flag.

PS Is this problem covered under warranty? Booked my car in for service and inspection the following week.

Edited by CheckSix on Tuesday 6th December 08:31

steveatesh

4,893 posts

163 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
Should all be covered under warranty.

However, your general sentiment is something I share, quality is a golden thread that runs through design, construction and after sales and in some areas is lacking in the AM way.

The clutch could have been redesigned, the paint bubbles are unforgivable so long after the issue was initially spotted and lights too could have been sorted.

In my mind all it needs is the management will to make it happen, and I do hope Andy Palmer takes the company towards a more end to end quality product.

Quality is a strategic issue, not an add on. My own experience really spoiled ownership until it was all sorted. I love the car but it could have been so much better.

AMDBSVNick

6,990 posts

161 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
A mate of mine was at a MD last week and one of the GT8's in the showroom had paint bubbles rolleyes

gibbon

2,182 posts

206 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
CheckSix said:
I've read the issues related with AM regarding clutches, light cluster condensation and paint blistering... thinking must have been earlier cars!

Then with my first service I was told the control arms are out by a couple of mm... which causes shuddering on occasions of the steering. Apparently this is well known to the factory and my dealer is going to replace all 4 arms with a different design ... if they knew that why would they use an older design in the first place?

I mean AM did have about 10years with the Vantage before I got mine (MY2016)... the panel gaps can be excused for "hand crafted", the electronic freezes can be construed as "characterful" but I guess the last straw was the paint bubbling!



Now don't get me wrong I really like the old school feel, incredible sound, manual shift, pure class and elegance of AM... but this has made me reconsider upgrading to another Aston.

The last time I saw this same phenomenon myself was on a MY08 Ferrari 599. What has been others experience of newer model Astons? This experience has left me feeling a bit jaded... the new DB11 hasn't helped! Wondering what other niggles fellow owners put up with to fly the AM flag.

PS Is this problem covered under warranty? Booked my car in for service and inspection the following week.

Edited by CheckSix on Tuesday 6th December 08:31
Im interested about the steering shudder. I had this a little, at low speeds in my 2005 Vantage, but i feel like I notice it more in my new (to me) 2012, still at low speed. A dealer told me 'they all do that sir' with my early car. Is this the shudder you are talking about?

Jon39

12,782 posts

142 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all

Management action is certainly the key to these problems.

Dr. Palmer can check 1,000 DB11 cars, but he would never find a fault of the type mentioned by our OP.

Condensation, paint bubbles and just a few other items are certainly, 'known knowns, the things we know that we know'.

It is lack of management action on these long standing common faults that is inexcusable, and clearly must be loosing some sales, and even worse, loosing repeat sales.



Bincenzo

2,606 posts

178 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
It'll be very interesting to see what the new Chief Technical Officer will make of this. Fingers crossed he'll be proactive enough to grip the issues.

CheckSix

Original Poster:

89 posts

109 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
Yes Gibbon it occurs at low speed maneuvouring ... according to my AM tech. I don't have the exact item part on me but I can post it later.




DAVIDOXE

494 posts

113 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
AMDBSVNick said:
A mate of mine was at a MD last week and one of the GT8's in the showroom had paint bubbles rolleyes
If the problem is evident on a new car clearly they dont know what causes it!
How can that be possible after this length of time?

gibbon

2,182 posts

206 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
CheckSix said:
Yes Gibbon it occurs at low speed maneuvouring ... according to my AM tech. I don't have the exact item part on me but I can post it later.
Much appreciated. Thank you.

Flugplatz

1,952 posts

244 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
gibbon said:
A dealer told me 'they all do that sir' . Is this the shudder you are talking about?
and me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Totally unacceptable.

MY 2015 V12VSR



CheckSix

Original Poster:

89 posts

109 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
The GT8 made me sad... we couldn't get it in manual in Australia; that includes the new V12S Manual! Yet all previous versions of the Vantage was available! I wasn't going to buy the GT8 without the manual (was hoping for the dogleg version as well).

I wouldn't be very happy if my GT8 had pain bubbling on delivery!

Anyways the following was the service report for the shuddering...


gibbon

2,182 posts

206 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
Thanks, im not entirely sure thats the same issue, i think the slow speed juddering is possibly from the assisted steering pump, but i could be wrong.

Ken Figenus

5,678 posts

116 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
What really surprises me with 'known design issues' is the way manufacturers deal with them. Shot engine in a Cayman at 20k due to scored bores? On your own. Cracked piano black dash in an Aston age 3 1/2 years? On your own. Nikasil issues with your M3 in a Beemer... IMS shafts on a 911? Swirl flaps destroying your engine on a 4 year old diesel Beemer? Falling over Daihatsu when you corner...etc They all need a visit and a slap from Matt Allbright!

I know we all have different experiences and different luck (wish my Aston would develop a fault before the 3yr warranty runs out - what a waste of money that has been!) but I'm not sure Aston are the worst culprits out there at all! Far richer companies behave far worse on issues they created by negligence and should SO know better about.

10p silica gel in a headlamp anyone biggrin

Andy_mr2sc

1,223 posts

175 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
Hi all,
Are there any other underlying problems a potential owner should look for or know about? I have been lingering on the AM forum for a few months. I am seriously considering selling the Tuscan and replacing it with a Vantage on the basis I (as with most tvr owners) spend my life chasing small niggles around the car. I guess, as highlighted above, all cars have their faults but am I looking at AMs through rose tinted spectacles and I'm going to spend as long under it as driving it?

Andy

RobDown

3,803 posts

127 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
There are two issues -

1. The clutch on the manuals can go relatively quickly (albeit with a lot of variability, some are happily doing 50k+ miles) so check how much life is left, when last replaced
2. There's a paint bubbling problem that's been going on for years (and AML seem unable to fix). Doesn't seem to affect all cars but is relatively common around wing mirrors and door handles. Will cost a few hundred pounds to fix if you get it

Edited to add: that other than those two they do appear to be quite bomb-proof

Edited by RobDown on Tuesday 6th December 22:49

gibbon

2,182 posts

206 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
Andy_mr2sc said:
Hi all,
Are there any other underlying problems a potential owner should look for or know about? I have been lingering on the AM forum for a few months. I am seriously considering selling the Tuscan and replacing it with a Vantage on the basis I (as with most tvr owners) spend my life chasing small niggles around the car. I guess, as highlighted above, all cars have their faults but am I looking at AMs through rose tinted spectacles and I'm going to spend as long under it as driving it?

Andy
To be fair Vantages on the whole are very good. My last one I had for four years with no major faults, and to be honest, hardly any minor ones. Barely lifted the bonnet.

CheckSix

Original Poster:

89 posts

109 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
quotequote all
My AM tech wasn't surprised about the control arms (said had 5-10 cars affected and is a known problem) but seemed surprised about the paint bubbling (this is on L front panel rather than mirrors or hood).

Brake squeal is another problem... but "Ferraris do that too sir." The rest people have covered.

Having experienced all this I wouldn't know what car can replace my daily Vantage anyways (as opposed to an additional car like Mclaren or Ferrari for weekend duties).

Its like shacking up with a girl before you find out about those small annoying habits, or realsied that she's cross-eyes or has a particular funny smell... you will find yourself making excuses or forgiving her because she makes you happy and you are in LOVE!



hashluck

1,611 posts

274 months

Wednesday 7th December 2016
quotequote all
I did 20,000 miles in a Vantage V8S, daily driver, lived outside, no major issues (less than previous equivalent Audis)

Moonhawk

10,730 posts

218 months

Wednesday 7th December 2016
quotequote all
Andy_mr2sc said:
Hi all,
Are there any other underlying problems a potential owner should look for or know about? I have been lingering on the AM forum for a few months. I am seriously considering selling the Tuscan and replacing it with a Vantage on the basis I (as with most tvr owners) spend my life chasing small niggles around the car. I guess, as highlighted above, all cars have their faults but am I looking at AMs through rose tinted spectacles and I'm going to spend as long under it as driving it?

Andy
Check the LED side lights on the headlight cluster and LED rear lights if you have them.

My front LEDs went after ~15k miles and they are not serviceable. For a part with a rated lifetime of around 50,000 hours (or 1.5 million miles at 30mph) - to fail after around 100th of the rated lifetime indicates a serious quality control problem.

You ether need to remove the light cluster and get it fixed - or replace the entire unit at significant cost (~£1.5k per side when I had it done). That's a hell of an expensive 'side light bulb' change.

This seems to be a relatively common fault (at least common enough to indicate there may be a design flaw) and may well be related to the condensation issue with water getting into the LEDs or control circuitry - yet my dealer (probably THE main AM dealer in the country) claimed to have never heard of it happening before mine. rolleyes

Edited by Moonhawk on Wednesday 7th December 12:59

shunt

968 posts

224 months

Wednesday 7th December 2016
quotequote all
This thread sort of sums up why I moved on from the marque. Nice to have had one, but I no longer need to make those excuses or wear those rose tinted glasses. I've already done more miles in the F Type in 3 weeks than I did last year in the V8V. Having just returned from a weeks skiing the first thing I wanted to do was take it out for a drive, if anyones red rear lights have failed I have a spare set in the garage open to offers...;););)